Sir, In Ruth Gledhill’s report about Anglicans moving to the Ordinariate, she writes in her “Q&A” section: “Is this the end for Anglo-Catholicism? Very possibly.” The answer should have been “Certainly not”. For too long it has been assumed in the media that Forward in Faith represents the whole of the Anglo-Catholic constituency. It does not.
The Society of Catholic Priests, which exists to foster “priestly spirituality and Catholic Evangelism”, admits both male and female priests on equal terms. Affirming Catholicism affirms (among other things) the ordination of women, as well as men, to the threefold ministry, and produces publications, both scholarly and popular, covering aspects of faith from a liberal Catholic perspective. There is a flourishing group of Affirming Catholics in General Synod.
Those of us who are of this persuasion are Catholic in doctrine, worship and spirituality. We value and use all the sacraments, and our worshipping life is centred on the Eucharist, which most of us celebrate according to a thoroughly Anglican liturgy that would feel more familiar to most Roman Catholics than that which is favoured by the ultra-conservative converts to the Ordinariate.
The majority of members of religious communities are happy with women priests and look forward to receiving the ministry of women bishops. A number of Sisters are themselves priests.
We are Catholic, Anglican, prayerful, progressive, passionate, and determined. We are here, and we are not going to go away.
Advertisement
Rev Sister Rosemary
Convent of the Holy Name, Derby